Originally appeared in the print anthology Three Weddings and a Kiss (1995).

Gwendolyn Adams is about to propose to an earl. On his deathbed.

Gwendolyn Adams isn’t shocked at being asked to save a handsome earl’s dying line, even when she learns the prospective bridegroom is seriously ill and possibly insane. She’s quite a good nurse, after all, and her family is famous for producing healthy male children. Those stories about his riding the moors half-naked on a pale white horse? Extremely intriguing—especially after she gets her first look at the gorgeous lunatic.

The Earl of Rawnsley wants only to lose what’s left of his mind in peace and privacy. But his busybody relatives have saddled him with a surprise bride and orders to sire an heir forthwith. (And they say he’s mad?) But with Gwendolyn, his health is returning, and his resistance … crumbling. Is it possible that love is the finest madness of all?

My Thoughts: I know that Loretta Chase is considered by many the Queen of Historical Romances, and though I read and loved Silk is for Seduction and instantly became a die hard fan of Loretta Chase, it seems too much time has gone by since, because it still surprised me what an amazing storyteller she is and how much I enjoyed The Mad Earl’s Bride! I was craving something historical, this was a short novella, so I thought it would satisfy my craving, well I gobbled it up in a mere couple of hours and as usual another book of Loretta Chase left me smiling and feeling happy.

I haven’t read any books from this Scoundrels series, so trust me The Mad Earl’s Bride works wonderfully as a standalone story, don’t fear feeling lost not having read the previous novels in the series.

The mad Earl in question is Dorian, the Earl of Rawnsley, who wants nothing else than to be left in peace in a remote cottage and spend the short time that is still left (since after seeing the madness descend and claim his mother knows that it will soon claim all his senses as well and time is running out) alone, away from society, people in tranquility. Well that tranquility is shot to hell when a fiery red-head woman envades her home to marry him and produce an heir before he succombs to illness! I quite liked the premise of the story and the well developed and lovable characters that Loretta Chase filled the story with. Dorian and Gwendolyn were such vivid and captivating characters I kept turning the pages, craving more of their interactions. (and Bertie, Gwendolyn’s cousin and good and loyal friend to Dorian was so adorable as well.) Dorian’s generous protective heart shone through even through his despair and darker moments and later when he allowed himself to enjoy his time with Gwen his love and tenderness, and respect for her were moving. Gwen was an admirable heroine. I loved that she was highly intelligent, brave and independent. She was no simpering miss, she was a strong woman to be lauded, a heroine to deserve respect and admiration. I also loved her dry sense of humour 😉

The Mad Earl’s Bride was full of heart-warming romance and chuckle out loud humour:

“Why did you bolt?” She asked.

“I took a lunatic fit.” He trudged on.

“That often happens when one converses with Bertie for any length of time,” she said.

“You are telling me,” Dorian ground out, “that all this time . . .” His face heated. “All these months, I have been playing bloody tragic hero—and all I’ve got is a bleeding, damned headache?”

Verdict:The Mad Earl’s Bridewas a lovely, well written historical romance novella I enjoyed a lot. Both Dorian and Gwen were interesting and strong, passionate characters I could love and Loretta Chase’s writing was once again stunning. I only have one complaint: and that is that I would have wanted this story to be longer! I didn’t get nearly enough of Dorian and Gwen to satisfy my hunger for their story! 😉

So if you are in the mood for a lovely and captivating historical romance story I urge you to pick up The Mad Earl’s Bride, I’m sure you’ll love it!

I giveThe Mad Earl’s Bride 4 stars!

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About Stella

Stella is a proud bookaholic and a self-taught multilinguist in training. Besides reading, her other great passions are travelling and baking. When she is not globetrotting she lives in sunny Budapest, where she loves to spend her free time preparing (and feasting on) delicious cookies or devouring equally yummy books. Her favourite genres are urban fantasy and romance and she couldn't live without her daily dose of sunshine. Besides being the Latin Lover on BLI Stella also blogs about books and a bookish life on Ex Libris.

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3 Comments

I read this recently, too! Even though it is short, it sticks with you. Lord of Scoundrels, that comes before it, is excellent, too. And definitely read The Carsington Brothers series! Silk is for Seduction was the first book I read, too & I was hooked. Thanks for the review!